To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

40
tinction between things temporal and things eternal. They sense their spiritual
responsibilities and privileges. Many pastoral reports indicate increased attend­ance
at morning worship. In not a few instances two or more morning services
are conducted. When facilities and circumstances· permit, I believe there are
specific advantages in multiple morning services even though the sanctuary is
not always filled. Additional opportunities are thus provided. Figures will
demonstrate that some people actually prefer attending church at an earlier
hour than ten-thirty or eleven o'clock. One of the more stubborn problems in­volves
the attendance of children at church services. Any ready-made solution
escapes me, but surely all of us should be constantly at work on the problem.
I suspect that our rural congregations are more successful in this matter than
are others in urban centers. In any event, unfailing attendance at divine wor­ship
should be a rigid requirement for those in the junior and senior confirmation
classes. If boys and girls don't learn to apreciate worship in God's House then,
when will they?
Some of our congregations, blessed with adequate man-power, conduct a
communion service every Lord's Day. I believe this is an arrangement that can
be profitably emulated. Even in our smallest congregations frequent opportuni­ties
for participating in the Holy Sacrament should be provided. Let none be
guilty of neglect at this vital point.
The baptism of infants at an early age in the church is as it should be.
May I, however, urge that pastors and deacons continue to strive for a clearer
understanding on the part of parents concerning subsequent spiritual nurture of
children following baptism? I am convinced, too, that the selection of sponsors
is one concerning which young parents need considerable counsel. Certainly
baptism transcends social convenience.
Sunday evening and mid-week services, according to reports, continue the
old struggle for survival. However, many spiritual blessings are reported to ac­crue
as the result of Advent, Prayer Week, Lenten and other special services
conducted during evening hours. None here will dissent from the assertion that
the study of God's Word is always a fruitful objective. Therein lies the fountain­head
of genuine spiritual advance.
Instances in which pastors and boards are not co-operative are the excep­tion.
Unsanctified human nature does provide some complainers, objectors and
obstructionists. But here, too, Christian patience, as it waits upon the ministry
of the Holy Spirit, receives its own reward. This, however, is not to suggest that
pastors or leaders should ever compromise with principle or divine truth. Some­times
a congregation grows by subtraction.
By-Law Number Three, appended to the 1939 Constitution, provides for "a
committee to nominate candidates for officers in the congregation." Article VI,
Section 4. Paragraph 9, of the 1939 Constitution specifying duties of the pastor,
reads as follows: "He shall also supervise all other activities within the congre­gation."
Any reasonable interpretation of this constitutional provision seems to
make it obligatory for the pastor to counsel well with the nominating committee.
I believe there is valid reason for this provision. The character, sense of mis­sion,
understanding of stewardship and evangelism, and co-operative attitudes of
those who compose our Boards of Administration are vital considerations for any
congregation. Has there been a somewhat clouded viewpoint to the effect that
the deacons should be "spiritual" men, but the candidates for the Trustees could
qualify on a somewhat lower level? Obviously none should object to the recom­mendation
that earnest and prayerful attention be given to this matter of quali­fied
personnel in all positions of leadership in the congregation.

40
tinction between things temporal and things eternal. They sense their spiritual
responsibilities and privileges. Many pastoral reports indicate increased attend­ance
at morning worship. In not a few instances two or more morning services
are conducted. When facilities and circumstances· permit, I believe there are
specific advantages in multiple morning services even though the sanctuary is
not always filled. Additional opportunities are thus provided. Figures will
demonstrate that some people actually prefer attending church at an earlier
hour than ten-thirty or eleven o'clock. One of the more stubborn problems in­volves
the attendance of children at church services. Any ready-made solution
escapes me, but surely all of us should be constantly at work on the problem.
I suspect that our rural congregations are more successful in this matter than
are others in urban centers. In any event, unfailing attendance at divine wor­ship
should be a rigid requirement for those in the junior and senior confirmation
classes. If boys and girls don't learn to apreciate worship in God's House then,
when will they?
Some of our congregations, blessed with adequate man-power, conduct a
communion service every Lord's Day. I believe this is an arrangement that can
be profitably emulated. Even in our smallest congregations frequent opportuni­ties
for participating in the Holy Sacrament should be provided. Let none be
guilty of neglect at this vital point.
The baptism of infants at an early age in the church is as it should be.
May I, however, urge that pastors and deacons continue to strive for a clearer
understanding on the part of parents concerning subsequent spiritual nurture of
children following baptism? I am convinced, too, that the selection of sponsors
is one concerning which young parents need considerable counsel. Certainly
baptism transcends social convenience.
Sunday evening and mid-week services, according to reports, continue the
old struggle for survival. However, many spiritual blessings are reported to ac­crue
as the result of Advent, Prayer Week, Lenten and other special services
conducted during evening hours. None here will dissent from the assertion that
the study of God's Word is always a fruitful objective. Therein lies the fountain­head
of genuine spiritual advance.
Instances in which pastors and boards are not co-operative are the excep­tion.
Unsanctified human nature does provide some complainers, objectors and
obstructionists. But here, too, Christian patience, as it waits upon the ministry
of the Holy Spirit, receives its own reward. This, however, is not to suggest that
pastors or leaders should ever compromise with principle or divine truth. Some­times
a congregation grows by subtraction.
By-Law Number Three, appended to the 1939 Constitution, provides for "a
committee to nominate candidates for officers in the congregation." Article VI,
Section 4. Paragraph 9, of the 1939 Constitution specifying duties of the pastor,
reads as follows: "He shall also supervise all other activities within the congre­gation."
Any reasonable interpretation of this constitutional provision seems to
make it obligatory for the pastor to counsel well with the nominating committee.
I believe there is valid reason for this provision. The character, sense of mis­sion,
understanding of stewardship and evangelism, and co-operative attitudes of
those who compose our Boards of Administration are vital considerations for any
congregation. Has there been a somewhat clouded viewpoint to the effect that
the deacons should be "spiritual" men, but the candidates for the Trustees could
qualify on a somewhat lower level? Obviously none should object to the recom­mendation
that earnest and prayerful attention be given to this matter of quali­fied
personnel in all positions of leadership in the congregation.